LEJOG Cycle Tour - Day 1 - Lands End to Bodmin
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Overview
Join Will & Jon for a day, a week, a weekend or all 17 days of the UK cycle tour from Lands End to John O’Groats. The trip is organised as day events, allowing you to sign up to whatever days you fancy, booking your own transport and accommodation according to your budget.
DAY ONE - Lands End to Bodmin
A slightly later start than usual as those with a screw loose will be completing the Lands End parkrun.
After the mandatory photos of bikes, cyclists, the John O'Groats signpost and all possible variations have been taken, it will be time to make a start on our epic journey.
Today's route will take us through Cornwall first over towards and through Penzance (for our first coffee stop), across the peninsular to Hayle and finally northeast to Bodmin. The total distance will be 116km with 1280m of ascent.
The route can be downloaded from here.
A visit to Cornwall wouldn't be complete without a tour of one of its mines, if time allows the plan is to visit National Trust's East Pool Mine.
"At the very heart of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site sit these two great beam engines, originally powered by high-pressure steam boilers .... Preserved in their towering engine houses, they are a reminder of Cornwall's days as a world-famous centre of industry, engineering and innovation. Our pumping engine is one of the largest surviving Cornish beam engines in the world, and our restored winding engine can be seen in action daily."
If we are making great time and need a break, we may also pop to Trerice, a National Trust owned 16th-century manor house with period furnishings, a formal Tudor garden & a restaurant.
Leaving Bodmin
If you are leaving us in Bodmin, the nearest train station is Bodmin Parkway, approx 7km from Bodmin centre.
Saturday 09th July accommodation suggestions in Bodmin:
- Bodmin Jail Hotel - much cheaper through Booking.com - Will & Jon staying here.
- Meadow Oak
- Westbury Hotel - looked very nice but wanted to charge to store bikes - they don't charge for cars so why bikes!? I cancelled my reservation.
- Airbnb has lots of options too.
Keep costs down by getting twin rooms (double if you are friendly) and sharing.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding equipment etc email Will.Allaway@Outdoorlads.com.
A lot of useful information is included in Day 0 - Getting to Lands End.
Keep in touch
Want to hear more about what we're up to? Then join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/OutdoorLadsCycling
We also have a Strava group: www.strava.com/clubs/275243
IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement
You MUST complete the Cycling Participation Statement in addition to booking your event space before attending a cycling event.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who has recently tested positive for Covid-19, is asked not to attend.
Photos: All photos taken by Will Allaway and used with permission.
What to bring
Bike: a road bike or touring bike.
Helmet: OutdoorLads requires you to wear one and so does Will.
Cycling Clothing: lightweight and layered, colourful and/or reflective clothing will make you more visible to other road users. Aim to bring 3-4 sets of cycling outfits, we will have a laundry run at least every fourth night. If you choose to wash the same outfit with Lynx Africa Jon will hunt you like the animal you are.
Footwear: suitable for your bike and pedals. Some bike shoes are ok to walk in, but keep in mind you’re wearing them all day; a slip-on or flip-flop will be a welcome change in the evening.
Gloves: cycle gloves help avoid blisters, and are good in the cold
Punctures: spare inner tube, bike tyre pump and tyre levers
Tools: any special tools that your bike needs
Small snacks: such as chocolate or energy bars
Plenty of water: in bottle/s on your bike.
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Eye protection: avoid getting grit or insects in your eyes, sunglasses are OK if they are not made of glass and not too shaded
Bike lights: be seen and safe - we have long day light hours but are useful in bad weather.
Mobile Phone: keep it in a waterproof bag for use in emergencies.
Ruck sack or panniers: Carrying kit in a ruck sack can become tiresome, I would recommend panniers, though make sure your bike is suitable to attach them. Alternatively buy frame bags that fit behind your saddle and within the frame of your bike.
Evening wear: We will be going out for drinks and meals, an outfit other then lycra would be a bonus for your sanity.
Clothes washing liquid: Useful for freshening up your clothes.
Chamois cream - helps avoids rubbing on the bum cheeks.
GPS Computer - track your progress and go off on your own if fed up of our company
Food & drink
Please bring plenty of snacks, the plan is to stop somewhere nice for lunch.